Artichokes from the oven

The artichoke is a vegetable from the Asteraceae family. It is known for its edible flower buds, which are considered a delicacy. The artichoke originates from the Mediterranean region, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Especially in countries such as Italy, Spain and France, it is an integral part of the cuisine. The plant can grow quite large and has characteristic spiky leaves. Artichokes are often steamed or boiled and served with various dips. The heart of the artichoke is considered to be particularly tasty. However, artichokes can also be prepared in the oven.

Ingredients

• Fresh artichokes
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• salt
• pepper
• Garlic, herbs such as thyme or rosemary, parmesan or breadcrumbs for topping

Preparation:

Preparing the artichokes

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
• Cut the stems off the artichokes and remove the outer, hard leaves.
• Cut off the tips of the leaves to remove the sharp edges.
• Cut the artichokes in half and remove the hay in the middle.

Seasoning

• In a bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and, if desired, chopped garlic and herbs.
• Coat the artichoke halves with the mixture so that they are well seasoned.

Bake

• Place the artichokes cut side up on a baking tray or in an oven dish.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake the artichokes for about 30 to 40 minutes until they are soft.

Gratinate:

• Remove the foil and sprinkle the artichokes with Parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs.
• If you like, you can drizzle a little olive oil over them.
• Place the artichokes in the oven for a further 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Serve:

• Allow the artichokes to cool briefly and serve warm. They make a good side dish or a tasty main course.

Enjoy cooking and bon appétit!